COLUMBIA BASIN — Summer winds down in August, and so do summer reading programs. Here’s what’s happening at libraries in the Basin. All activities are at the library unless otherwise indicated.

Coulee City

218 W Main St. – 509-632-8751

Aug 6: YA Makers – Emotional Support Chicken | 3 p.m.

Need an extra bit of motivation? Create an emotional support chicken to guide you through times of stress.

Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28 (Fridays): Preschool Storytime | 11 a.m.

Half an hour of stories, songs, rhymes, and fun. This program is designed for preschool-age children and their adult caregivers.

Aug. 11: Kids’ Crafternoon – Cress Heads | 1 p.m.

Learn about plant care and pruning while styling your cress head’s green locks.

Aug. 12: STEM Wednesday – Seed Art | 3 p.m.

Seeds aren’t just for growing. They can also be a medium for your artistic projects. Come and create an art piece with the magic of seeds.

Aug. 18: Summer Library Program Finale | 2 p.m.

Celebrate the end of the summer with crafts, snacks and a drawing for Summer Reading Program prizes.

Ephrata

509-754-3971

Note: Activities will be held at the Ephrata Rec Center, 112 Basin St. SW, due to construction at the library.

Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28 (Fridays): Sit and Stitch | 1:30 p.m.

All ages and skill levels are welcome to share techniques, tips, patterns, and yarn. Crochet kits are available for checkout as well as hundreds of print and digital crochet books and magazines.

Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25 (Tuesdays): Summer Storytime and Craft | 10:30 a.m.

Stories, movement, rhymes, songs and fun, finishing up with a craft. This Storytime is geared toward preschool through elementary school-aged children, but older and younger children and their grownups are welcome.

George

403 S Washington Way – 509-785-7043

Aug. 7: Fridays at the Library! Los viernes en la biblioteca! | 4 p.m.

Activities for the whole family, including reading, crafting, games, and more.

Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26 (Wednesdays): ¡A Jugar! A Community Game Hub | All Day

Drop in at the library to play games, spend time with family, and laugh with friends of all ages. No registration needed. Games include dominos, Uno, Sushi Go!, Dragonwood, and That’s Pretty Clever with some new games thrown in every so often to keep things fun.

Mattawa

101 Manson Lane – 509-932-5507

Aug. 1 and 15: Bilingual Storytime | 12 p.m.

Librarians will read stories in both English and Spanish and share culture and insights, teach simple words and phrases, and share an added activity or craft. Storytimes are geared towards preschool-age children and their families, but everyone is welcome.

Aug. 8: Candle Making 101 | 12 p.m.

Tweens and teens will create a rolled beeswax candle. All supplies will be provided while they last.

Moses Lake

418 E. Fifth Ave. – 509-765-3489

Aug. 3: Messy Pages Club | 4 p.m.

A creative hangout where teens and tweens can cut, paste, scribble, glue, doodle and journal without worrying about perfection.

Aug. 4, 18 and 25: Summer Storytime | 10:30 a.m.

Songs, stories and crafts for preschoolers.

Aug. 5 and 19: Stitch & Whinge Needle Craft Group | 4 p.m.

For those who have experience or those looking to learn knitting, crochet, cross stitch, embroidery, hand-quilting and other post-apocalyptic life skills. Ages 18 and older.

Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27 (Thursdays): Adults with Special Needs Storytime | 10:30 a.m.

Weekly storytime with songs and crafts.

Aug. 6: Hula Hoop with Hillia Hula | 4 p.m.

Join Hillia Hula for an energetic and interactive multi-hula hoop performance and hands-on workshop. Participants of all ages can learn beginner-friendly hoop moves through play.  Note: This program is at Doolittle Dream Park on the corner of Patton Boulevard and Doolittle Drive. There are no restrooms at the park, so please plan accordingly.

Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27 (Thursdays): Switch Gaming | 4 p.m.

Join other enthusiasts for gaming on the Nintendo Switch. A variety of games and controllers will be provided by the library.

Aug. 7: Bilingual Storytime | 10:30 a.m.

Story in Spanish and English. Twice the languages, double the fun.

Aug. 7 and 21: LEGOs at the Library | 4:30 p.m.

Teens and tweens are invited to play and build with LEGOs.

Aug. 8: Creative Writing Series | 2:30 p.m.

Whether you’re new to writing or a published author, this writing group is for you. Program includes weekly prompts, writing topics and sharing work, and will evolve to fit the group’s interests, including plot structure, character development, getting started, writer’s block, editing, critiquing and more.

Aug. 11: Storytime with Valor | 10:30 a.m.

Enjoy a story with Kids Hope comfort dog Valor.

Aug. 13: Ranger Storytime | 1 p.m.

Join Washington State Parks rangers for a story and a short program on local geography, geology, wildlife, and weather.

Aug. 14: Sensory Storytime: | 10:30 a.m.

For children 3-7 years old with sensory needs. This storytime is especially welcoming to neurodivergent children and their families, with stories, songs, and play.

Aug. 14: Air Clay Beads and Pendants | 3 p.m.

Tweens and teens will create an air-clay bead pendant. All supplies will be provided while they last.

Aug. 21: Adult Book Club | 5 p.m.

Young adults and seniors meet to discuss books chosen by the members in an open-forum conversation.

Aug. 27: Use It Up! Creative Reuse Crafternoon | 4 p.m.

Participants will use leftover materials from previous library events to create new crafts, artwork, useful items, or decorative projects. The program encourages innovation and problem-solving while demonstrating the importance of reusing resources. Patrons may work individually or in small groups to design unique creations from available supplies.

Aug. 27: What the Smut?! Romance Book Club | 6:30 p.m.

Book discussion for adults over 21 only.

Aug. 28: Crafts of Questionable Quality | 10:30 a.m.

Family-friendly crafts and a story for elementary-age and preschool children.

Othello

125 E. Hemlock St. – 509-488-9683

Aug. 3: Fossils in Our Backyard | 11 a.m.

Join MCBONES Research Center Foundation and explore real fossils found in our community and learn how scientists discover, dig up, and study clues from Earth’s ancient past. Get ready to uncover amazing Ice Age animals and see how science turns buried bones into big discoveries. For all ages.

Aug. 3, 17 and 31: LEGO Club | 5 p.m.

Participate in fun, creative building experiences and meet other LEGO fans. Blocks will be provided.

Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26 (Wednesdays): Preschool Storytime | 11 a.m.

Stories, songs, movement and play for children 0-5.

Aug. 6: Paleolithic Picassos | 3 p.m.

For millennia, humans have been creating symbolic art on cave walls. Draw inspiration from ancient art and try to tell your own story on our community cave art mural using only pictographs and iconography. For children 6-12.

Aug. 7, 21 and 28: DIY Crochet Club | 4 p.m.

Hands-on opportunity for adults to explore a new hobby, create unique projects, and connect with fellow craft enthusiasts. Supplies provided.

Aug. 10: Jurassic Gym | 11 a.m.

Preschoolers will climb, crawl, balance, and jump through this pint-sized gym while strengthening gross motor skills.  This program is designed for children ages 3-5.

Aug. 10: Creative Kids – Balloon Car | 5 p.m.

Kids will explore their creativity, learn new skills, and create one-of-a kind projects to take home.

Aug. 13: Sumerian Scribes | 3 p.m.

Why does paper beat rock? It’s a lot easier to write on! Come try writing in clay as we explore a version of the oldest known writing system. This program is designed for children ages 9-12.

Sug. 13: Barchitects Lego League | 6 p.m.

Teams of up to six people will compete to build a scene that showcases what happened to the dinosaurs when they didn’t learn how to read. Free to play. Lego bricks will be provided. This program is intended for adults. For full contest rules, visit https://bit.ly/LegoLeague8-26. Note: This event will take place at Moonshot Brewery in Kennewick, 8804 W. Victoria Ave., No. 140.

Aug 14: Summer Reading Challenge Finisher Party | 1 p.m.

Celebrate the end of summer with crafts, activities, and fun for all ages. Don’t forget to turn in your reading logs and collect your prizes.

Aug. 15: Bilingual Storytime | 11:30 a.m.

Vibrant, language-rich experience designed to prepare children for kindergarten while introducing or reinforcing Spanish and English language skills. For families with children of all ages.

Quincy

208 Central Ave. S. – 509-787-2359

Aug. 3: Beyond Boundaries: College Conversations | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Big Bend Community College and SkillSource are teaming up for this free college assistance event. Whether you’re a high school student, recent graduate or adult thinking about college, these events are designed to help you take the next step. Drop in for one-on-one support with college applications, financial aid (FAFSA/WASFA) and scholarship applications. No registration required, just stop by.

Aug. 4 and 11: Crafternoon for Kids | 2:30 p.m.

Each week features a brand-new craft, with all supplies provided. Kids can create and explore their imaginations in a welcoming and safe space. Crafts are geared toward school-aged kids, but younger children are welcome too.

Aug. 6: Kids Bingo | 2:30 p.m.

Shake up your day with a lively game where fun comes first and surprises await. Bingo winners will score mystery prize grab bags, but everyone is guaranteed a good time in this friendly, low-stakes game.

Aug. 13: Kids Summer Storytime | 10 a.m.

Joyful stories, silly songs, movement fun, and a hands-on craft or coloring activity for children 1-11 and their grownups.

Aug. 13: Grant County Health District Mobile Outreach | 1:30 p.m.

Education, resources, preventive care and other types of support for those who may be in high-risk settings. Free hygiene materials, CPR face shields, Narcan, sharps containers, wound care, hand sanitizer, emergency blankets, seasonal warming materials, socks, condoms, and feminine products.

Ritzville

302 W. Main Ave. – 509-659-1222

Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 (Saturdays): D&D Club | 12 p.m.

Thrills, excitement and extraordinary quests for all ages.

Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 (Mondays): Preschool Story Hour | 10 a.m.

Stories, crafts and activities.

Aug. 13: Page Turners Book Club | 4 p.m.

Get a free book every month, then come and talk about it the next month, along with a craft or activity inspired by the story.

Royal City

109 Camelia St NW – 509-346-9281

Aug. 4: Stories and Create Seed Art | 430 p.m.

Listen to stories and take home seed art that you create. For preschool and elementary children.

Aug. 5 and 12: Family Games | 2 p.m.

Play Uno, Matching, Tenzi, Chess, Catan, Dungeon Mayhem, Oregon Trail, Unstable Unicorns, Monopoly and more.

Aug. 6: Create Seed Art | 2 p.m.

Teens and tweens can turn their inner artists loose to create seed art and take it home.

Aug. 6 and 13: Silent Book Club | 4:30 p.m.

Escape the noise and read what you love in quiet company.

Aug. 14: End of Summer Readover Party | 4 p.m.

Wear your pajamas and bring your books, blankets, sleeping bags and stuffed animals to celebrate the end of the summer.

Soap Lake

32 Main Ave. E. – 509-246-1313

Aug. 1-28 (Tuesday-Saturday): Kindness Rock Garden | All day

The library is teaming up with the Soap Lake Friends of the Library and the Soap Lake Schools to create a kindness rock garden. Pick up a rock, bring it in, paint it and put it in the rock garden. Use your own paint, or the library will supply some.

Warden

305 S Main St – 509-349-2226

Aug. 5: Summertime Craft for Adults | 3:30 p.m.

Meet other adults, build and create.

Aug. 6: Summer Storytime with Mrs. Wiggins | 4 p.m.

For children of all ages. Stories and activities with beloved former school librarian.

Bookmobile Schedule

Desert Aire: Aug. 3 and 17 at 2 p.m.

Beverly: Aug. 3 and 17 at 3:30 p.m.

Wilson Creek: Aug. 11 and 25 at 11:30 a.m.

Doolittle Dream Park, Moses Lake: Aug. 11 and 25 at 1 p.m.

    Hillia Hula will bring her interactive multi-hula hoop performance and hands-on workshop to Doolittle Dream Park in Moses Lake Aug. 6, sponsored by the Moses Lake Library.
  

    Kids can enjoy stories with Kids Hope Comfort Dog Valor at the Moses Lake Library Aug. 11.